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Original poster

Our new neighbours are possibly some of the kindest people I've ever met!

219 replies

listsandbudgets · 15/12/2014 21:35

I had to take DS to A&E with an obvious case of bronchilitis at lunch time. I didn't want to take DD 9 unless I had to (she started school holidays on Friday). My friends who'd normally sit with her if necessary was't answering so I tried my neighbours. Neighbour 1 was out. Tried neighbour 2 who moved in relatively recently - elderly couple with lots of grandchildren in and out and was overwhelmed by response when I explained the situation.

She said she was baking and DD could come in with her to help and then eat. He said he knew I didn't drive and insisted on driving us to the hospital. They phoned several times while I was at hospital telling me not to worry about time everything was fine.

DS spent a bit of time on oxygen and was discharged with antibiotics and instructions to come back in morning for chest x ray. He's sleeping now though very wheezy :(

Came home by taxi half an hour ago to find DD had watched a film, been given supper, bath and spare pyjamas belonging to a grandchild and was tucked up in their spare room with a cat on her feet. They said to leave her until morning and they'd pop her back but she woke up when she heard my voice and came home giving them both a great big hug.

Utterly completely overwhelmed by their kindness. How on earth can I ever repay that they hardly know me for goodness sake.

OP posts:
CakeAndWineAreAFoodGroup · 15/12/2014 22:40

Sorry but it's Mumsnet Rules:

Neighbours must be unreasonable, noisy and objectionable.

Never helpful, kind and reasonable human beings.

You should immediately call the police.

daisychain01 · 15/12/2014 22:43

Regina I am glad I don't live near you. Talk about suck the life out of this wonderful human story. And it could well have been life or death for all we know. No guarantees in life.

OP so pleased your family are all fine. Your neighbours were there for you in a crisis. I would have done exactly the same thing. There are times when pure instinct is better than cold logic.

wonderstuff · 15/12/2014 22:43

In 'this day and age' it's as safe to trust people as it ever was, and the biggest threat to children are relatives and close family friends.

ParrotNoya · 15/12/2014 22:44

I would have trusted them too. I have lots of lovely nieghbours too. We don't live in each other's pockets but I could happily ask any of them for help if I needed it. I would hope they would ask me.

I'm glad your DS is ok.

BlinkingHeck · 15/12/2014 22:45

How lovely OP.

My neighbour asked me to look after her son when her father was rushed to hospital with a suspected heart attack. It's what nice neighbours do.

StilleNachtCarolling · 15/12/2014 22:46

Whilst I think it was lovely that your neighbours did that for you, and you felt you were able to do that, I'd have been extremely Shock that they'd BATHED your DD! Given that you and she barely know them. Call me mistrusting but I'd not have been able to leave my kids with someone I knew so little Sad

BlinkingHeck · 15/12/2014 22:47

I could ask any of the three neighbours in my part of the Cul de sac to do the same, one set of parents, 2 ex teachers and a lovely granny and grandad.

Bulbasaur · 15/12/2014 22:47

You could get them a little chocolate/tea hamper for Christmas. :)

They sound lovely.

It's nice to see threads like this on MN.

Teeb · 15/12/2014 22:49

I really dont think a 9 year old girl needed a Bath from strangers.

Branleuse · 15/12/2014 22:50

well you dont have to do you. Everyone makes decisions that they feel are right at the time. Your child is statistically at more risk from your own husband/father/brother than they are from a stranger

MinnieM1 · 15/12/2014 22:52

What!?!?!
What planet are you on?!
You knocked on a complete strangers door, asked them to look after your child, they BATHED her and you want to buy them a present!?! Hmm
I have no words!!

mymatemax · 15/12/2014 22:52

what lovely neighbours & how thoughtful of them to get dd all ready for bed, one less thing for you to worry about.
I hope ds is feeling better soon.

I would totally trust nice neighbours. People are mostly good, the stuff we read in the news is there because its news, not the normal!

TattyDevine · 15/12/2014 22:53

This is lovely to hear.

I am that person, when given the chance.

If only everyone knew this and was also.

I'm sure a long friendship will follow x

TimelyNameChangey · 15/12/2014 22:54

I didn't think about the bath! I was very Hmm about it all....but that aspect is odd. Why would one bathe a girl one didn't know?

Ludways · 15/12/2014 22:55

I think that's a lovely story and no you weren't wrong to trust them. They've obviously got grandchildren and have known how to treat her and make her feel comfortable.

I don't think I'd have left her overnight, but nice of them to offer.

LadyLuck10 · 15/12/2014 22:56

They sound lovely opSmile. Hope DS feels much better.

StrattersThePreciousSnowflake · 15/12/2014 22:56

FFS it doesn't say anywhere that they gave her a bath, just that she'd had one. She's nine, more that able to have a bath without someone hanging over her.

And they're neighbours, not total strangers. Talk about making a mountain out of a rather lovely molehill. Our old neighbours were wonderful people, and would have done exactly the same; they were like grandparents to the DDs.

rallytog1 · 15/12/2014 22:57

I would assume they ran a bath, gave her a towel and pyjamas, then left her to it.

But yes, in MNLand we must always think the worst of people Hmm

OddFodd · 15/12/2014 22:57

Ooh the peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedo hunters are out Hmm

What a lovely heart-warming story OP. You must feel so much lighter knowing your DD was well cared for. And how great that you've got fab new neighbours! I've got some down the road who I don't know very well but who I'd leave DS with in a heartbeat if I had to.

Hope your DS is tons better in the morning x

NCIS · 15/12/2014 22:59

They sound lovely. Sounds like they're very used to children. Stories like this reinforce my faith in the kindness of strangers, the vast majority of whom, are lovely.

Festivelybereft · 15/12/2014 23:00

Maybe because dd said she always had a bath before bed.
Maybe the lady always bathed her own kids bath, story bed.
Maybe she dpes the same with her gc
Maybe because she doesn't see a paedophile around every corner.

Maybe she knows how narrow minded people can be and headed off any suspicion by keeping dd underwear on in bath

CarryOn90 · 15/12/2014 23:00

How lovely OP x

BigMartin · 15/12/2014 23:00

The dd is 9, I doubt the lovely neighbours 'bathed' her. More likely let her have a bath before getting PJ's on.

Teeb · 15/12/2014 23:00

It just seems unnecessary, don't you think? A child doesn't 'need' a bath every single night, it's not like having a meal.

overthemill · 15/12/2014 23:00

I doubt very much they stood over her while the dd bathed but let her have a bath and change and go to bed! Honestly people are in the main very trustworthy and the OP followed her instinct. That's why we have them. They sound lovely. Small gift , nothing expensive and home made card